Thank you, Rolleiflex

froyd

froyd

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I don't know what it is about the Rolleiflex, but whenever I'm walking around with it, I never feel the need for anything else. It makes me happy. Witht he TLR around my neck, I feel that if something cannot photographed with it, then it's probably not worth photographing. Objectively, that feeling would seem unwarranted, given that TLRs are hardly suited for every subject and every situation under the sun.

Here is a recent example: at my sister's recent wedding the only camera I took with me was the Rolleiflex with its slow 3.5 lens. Loaded with Portra 400, the photo opportunities evaporated the moment the party moved indoors under dim lights. Yet, not for one second did I wish I had a faster lens, TTL flash metering or anything else that would have allowed me to continue shooting. I am very ready to accept the camera's limitations and I focus on having fun shooting what I can.

No tracking shots of the kids darting around on the soccer field? No problem, a tight portrait with coach and the soccer ball under arm will preserve the memory just as well and with astounding IQ to boot.

Conversely, when I'm out with the M, I often find myself wishing my lens was faster, that I loaded a different film, that I brought along a different focal length, that I did not bother to take along the bulky light meter, etc.

This is not limited to the Leica, but pretty much all my other cameras except the Rollei. I thought this might be due to the positive effect of fixed focal lens photography, but my other fixed lens cameras don't make me feel equally content.

So all this to say, THANK YOU Rolleiflex for bringing literal satisfaction to my photography!
 
I don't feel limited by my Rolleiflex either. It is a pleasure to use and shoot, and the images it produces are even more of a pleasure. I have the 2.8 E model, and I find it sufficient for many situations, indoors or out.

I have been scanning negatives today, I'll post a few pics later on.
 
Hi,

Some of us can remember a time when every wedding was done with a Rollei and a tripod and a couple of rolls of film...

Regards, David
 
I paid for much of college by working as a wedding photographer. In those days I was using a 330 F Mamiya. I used to lust after the Rollei's that I saw others using. I now have two and enjoy them a great deal.
 
Having a numerous options in "gear" doesn't mean you are taking better pictures. On the contrary!
By having all these different focal lengths and form factors you dilute your vision. Not knowing what to focus on (yes pun intended ;-)
Take one camera with one lens and master it. Soon you will not be craving to that one object far away or that sweeping view of the entire scene. Create a mind set that fits your camera / lens / film combo and develop a style that is yours.
 
I also have a Rollei 3.5F that I prize and I understand the limitations of it. Recently I was having problems focusing (I use a Maxwell screen) and on a lark I decided to get a prism for it and I am so happy I did! Focusing is so easy with it and I hadn't done it before because I felt it would be too heavy. I can't even feel the difference between the WLF and with the prism! They are fabulous cameras and I hope to keep this one for many,many years.
 
leica M2 fan said:
I also have a Rollei 3.5F that I prize and I understand the limitations of it. Recently I was having problems focusing (I use a Maxwell screen) and on a lark I decided to get a prism for it and I am so happy I did! Focusing is so easy with it and I hadn't done it before because I felt it would be too heavy. I can't even feel the difference between the WLF and with the prism! They are fabulous cameras and I hope to keep this one for many,many years.
Click to expand...

The same for me. Rolleiprism-Maxwell screen (mine has microprism, split image and Fresnel lens) is an unbelievable combo. Very easy focusing and very bright screen also the corners. I have a 3,5F. Film MF is probably the right format also in digital era.
 
shortstop said:
The same for me. Rolleiprism-Maxwell screen (mine has microprism, split image and Fresnel lens) is an unbelievable combo. Very easy focusing and very bright screen also the corners. I have a 3,5F. Film MF is probably the right format also in digital era.
Click to expand...

Is that the metal round 90 degree prism? Is there a 45 degree prism available for the Rolleiflex?
 
The modern Rollei, which I believe is still in business (barely), makes a 45 degree prism (also a 90 degree that is much lighter than the bulbous classic F&H), but it's not easy to find & super expensive (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/44862-USA/Rollei_66631_45_Degree_Prism_Finder.html). A cheaper alternative is to get a Baier adapter (http://www.baierfoto.de/tlr_engl.html) & an old Kiev or Hasselblad prism.

Rayt said:
Is that the metal round 90 degree prism? Is there a 45 degree prism available for the Rolleiflex?
Click to expand...
 
tumblr_nalywc6g8E1r916qao1_1280.jpg


A little sumtin-sumtin I shot with my Rolleiflex on 8/17/2014 at the Harlem Street Fair in NYC.
 
My first camera had a fixed 50 mm which I thought limited me too much. The next cameras were full system.

I now find it liberating to use one camera, one lens. 50 mm collapsible Elmar V2 is decent. Sometime it is 35 &75. Or a Nikon with 24/120.
 
Frontman said:
I don't feel limited by my Rolleiflex either. It is a pleasure to use and shoot, and the images it produces are even more of a pleasure. I have the 2.8 E model, and I find it sufficient for many situations, indoors or out.
Click to expand...

To quote Picasso,“Forcing yourself to use restricted means is the sort of restraint that liberates invention. It obliges you to make a kind of progress that you can’t even imagine in advance.”

As the Rolleiflex ads used to say, "Just a Rollei and a roll of film. That's all you need."
 
Rayt said:
Is that the metal round 90 degree prism? Is there a 45 degree prism available for the Rolleiflex?
Click to expand...
I have a 90 degree old heavy prism. Prism, leather case, Rolleifix and pistol grip all in perfect condition: 100€. It's very useful in portraits with Rolleinar 1.
 
Wonderful camera!

My wife calls it a chick magnet because whenever I have one with the strap on hanging from my neck I get some young ladies making nice comments and smiles. I do realize it's about the camera and not me! Ha!
 
What y'all want is a Baier adapter so you can use a Hasselblad or Kiev finder. Info here: http://baierfoto.com/#english

I have 2 of them and as Tony The Tiger would say, they're grrrrrrrreat! You may need a diopter for the viewfinder you buy. I have a Hass 45 degree finder and a Kiev -- and 2 baier adapters. Both work great. Can even get good meter readings from Kiev, not that one needs that. And the Hass one is lighter than the Rolleiflex -- which I never liked -- too heavy and have or will soon have balsam separation & the eye cup rubber has or will very very soon crack.

Here's another 8/17/2014 Harlem snap for your viewing pleasure:

tumblr_nak4vmGzPb1r916qao1_1280.jpg
 
Not much of a discount. :eek:

In my experience, the only downside to the Baier adapter is that the detent to hold the prism isn't particularly stiff & a prism can easily slide out if bumped/hit when you don't want it to. So if you have a physically active shooting style, I would recommend using some gaffers tape, etc. along the back edge to secure the prism.

sjauch said:
The new 45 degree prism is a little cheaper by going direct but still super expensive.
http://rolleiflex.us/products/45-degree-prism-for-rolleiflex-tlr-cameras

The Baier adapter is great though. I use one on a T with the Kiev TTL prism and it's really nice.
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